Higher Kinnerton is located about 10.5km north of Wrexham, right on the Wales-England border Indeed its counterpart, Lower Kinnerton, is located on the English side of the border, approximately 1.5km north east of Higher Kinnerton.

According to Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, ‘Owen argues that the earliest reference to Higher Kinnerton is “Kynarton” in 1240, the elements being a personal name, “Cynheard” linked to “tun” (farm/settlement). […] The distinction between the two Kinnertons is first revealed in documents of the early sixteenth century.’

The first edition of the 25inch Ordnance Survey maps (published in 1877 for the west half of the village and 1893 for the east) depicts a scattered community. To the southwest was Kinnerton Hall Farm (NPRN 415091) and a small row of dwellings, a chapel of ease and the Swan Public house, collectively known as ‘Babylon.’ The London and North Western Railway (Chester and Mold Branch) skirts around the south and eastern side of Higher Kinnerton. There was another small cluster of dwelling and a Primitive Methodist chapel (NPRN 8051) slightly to the northeast of Babylon. Further north again but quite dispersed were Kinnerton Lodge (NPRN 420731), Crompton Hall Farm (NPRN 35781), The Grange, a smithy and the Royal Oak public house.

The second edition of the 25inch Ordnance Survey maps, published in 1899, shows more development in Higher Kinnerton mainly centred around the crossroads immediately to the west of the Methodist Chapel. More dwellings appear to have been built, and amenities including a school and All Saints Church (NPRN 421282). A parsonage is also noted south west of Babylon. Little had changed by the time the third edition if the twenty-five inch Ordnance Survey maps was published in 1911 and 1912.

Modern editions of the Ordnance Survey maps show significant development in the subsequent century, filling in the previously extensive spaces between the different settlements within Higher Kinnerton. Amenities include a convenience shop with a post office, a village hall, a vintage shop, and a coffee house in the old school building. The school is now located a little further to the north along the main road and it educates approximately 200 children aged 3 to 11. Both public houses – the Swan and the Royal Oak – remain open, although the railway has been dismantled.

Sources: modern and historic Ordnance Survey maps; google maps; CPAT report published 1995; Estyn report published May 2015

M. Ryder, RCAHMW, 21 February 2023

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Higher Kinnerton